Crested Butte

Crested Butt e rubs off on you. The same way you pick up a drawl after spending time with Southerners, you can’t help but take on a CB affect, with endless gratitude and perhaps a dash of smug satisfaction for having been lucky and/or smart enough to land here. Carving morning GS turns on the midmountain’s cascading double-blues as the rising sun chases shadows off perfect corduroy feels almost divinely inspired. An afternoon jump-turning the “holy extreme terrain, Batman!” on the back side and the steeper-than-steep gullies streaming from the peak—without the mercy of a single liftline to rest your legs—reminds you you’re alive. And mortal. But quite blessed. Maybe that’s why the locals—who outnumber the tourists in this “small, quaint and unpretentious town”— are so humble “and make you feel so welcome.” —D.W.

What’s New» Unclick at the top of the Peachtree lift and take Colorado’s only zipline canopy tour, which soars right over the ski trails year-round.

This type of terrain is ready-made to help you sharpen your technique—and have some fun on the hill.

With the terrain falling away on both sides of you, a spine line or ridge is a great way to improve or practice your technique during your ski day. Seek out, don't avoid, spine lines and ridges. Start with more moderate ridges to become comfortable with this type of terrain. SKI Mag Director of Instruction and PSIA team member Michael Rogan, demonstrates how to use this terrain to sharpen your skills—and have more fun on the hill.